The carriage continued toward the martial arts school.
Not long after, the carriage arrived safely in front of the school.
Standing on the carriage, Cheng Ran watched as Jiang Ning walked toward the school gate.
Suddenly, Cheng Ran spoke again.
"Junior Brother Jiang!"
Hearing this call, Jiang Ning turned around.
Cheng Ran continued, "Today was entirely my fault! If Master Wang hadn't appeared, I would have committed an unforgivable mistake!"
Jiang Ning smiled. "Enough, Senior Brother. Go back early! There's no need to bring this up again."
After saying this, he stepped over the threshold of the martial arts school and disappeared from Cheng Ran's sight.
Watching Jiang Ning leave, Cheng Ran said to the coachman, "Take us home!"
After giving the order, he turned and entered the carriage.
"Giddy up"
Under the coachman's control, the carriage started moving again, heading toward the Cheng residence.
Inside the carriage, Cheng Ran looked at Old Zheng beside him.
"Sigh"
He let out a soft sigh.
"Is the young master blaming me?" Old Zheng asked.
Cheng Ran shook his head. "How could I blame you, Old Zheng? I was the one who overestimated myself! I brought Jiang Ning out and almost got him into trouble!"
Old Zheng looked at Cheng Ran and explained, "Young Master, it's not that I didn't want to follow your orders. It's just that Xu Yunfeng is not someone to be trifled with. He works for Cao Bin, and with his strength, he will inevitably join the Inspection Bureau soon."
"Young Master, you know how much authority the Inspection Bureau holds. It's best not to offend someone like Xu Yunfeng."
"Moreover, although I have reached the peak of the ninth rank in martial arts, I am now old and my vitality is declining. Even if I were to fight him with my life on the line, I might not be his match."
"After all, the old fear the young! Whether it's physical strength or bodily functions, I can no longer keep up with the younger generation."
Cheng Ran said, "Old Zheng, I understand all of this. In the end, it's my fault! I almost harmed Junior Brother Jiang today, and no matter how I think about it, I can't shake off this unease."
After saying this, he let out another long sigh.
Martial Arts School.
"You're back?" Wang Jin stood in the front courtyard and spoke.
"Master!!" Jiang Ning cupped his hands in respect.
"Close the gate and follow me!" Wang Jin walked toward the backyard where he lived, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Yes, Master!" Jiang Ning responded, then turned and went back to the school gate.
Thud
As he pushed the gate, it slowly closed.
After securing the bolt, he walked toward the backyard where Wang Jin resided.
When he arrived in the backyard, Wang Jin was already sitting on a bamboo chair.
He pointed to an empty bamboo chair in front of him. "Sit down and talk!"
"Yes, Master!"
After Jiang Ning sat down, Wang Jin spoke. "What are your thoughts about tonight?"
"Master's might is unparalleled!!" Jiang Ning said.
Wang Jin chuckled. "I'm not asking you to flatter me!"
Jiang Ning pondered for a moment before speaking. "The truth only exists within the range of one's fists."
Hearing this, Wang Jin looked at Jiang Ning with surprise.
"You have a good understanding, kid!"
"Strength is the ultimate truth. Everything else is nonsense!"
"If you are strong enough, if you possess strength that surpasses mine, even the Cao, Liu, and Xie families will bow before you."
"Your family's troubles won't even be worth mentioning!"
Jiang Ning nodded. "Master, I understand. I will redouble my efforts in practicing martial arts!"
Wang Jin showed a pleased expression. "Good! For the next few days, don't go out. Thankfully, I arrived in time tonight. If that constable had taken you to the county jail, it wouldn't have been so easy for me to get you out!"
"After all, in this county, although my strength is considerable, I am not invincible!"
"Thank you, Master!" Jiang Ning expressed his gratitude again.
Wang Jin waved his hand. "Enough talk! I opened this school to take in disciples. The stronger my disciples are, the more face I gain! You focus on practicing well and bringing honor to me. That's the best repayment!"
"Yes, Master!" Jiang Ning cupped his hands in respect.
After leaving Wang Jin's courtyard and returning to his residence, Jiang Ning was lost in thought the entire way.
Strange!
Earlier, Xu Yunfeng didn't dare to act. Why did he dare to target me tonight?
Did something happen?
Did someone give Xu Yunfeng the confidence to defy Master?
That doesn't make sense!
If Xu Yunfeng wasn't afraid of Master, he wouldn't have acted the way he did earlier, right?
Standing in his courtyard, Jiang Ning thought for a long time before finally shaking his head and snapping out of it.
Forget it!
Unless I can capture Xu Yunfeng and force him to explain, there's no point in speculating blindly.
[Skill]: Canglang Sword Technique (Beginner 43/100)
After glancing at his panel, Jiang Ning muttered to himself.
If I can break through in sword technique and reach the proficient level, I should be able to kill Xu Yunfeng with a single strike, right?
He then steadied his mind.
Swish
The long sword was drawn, and under the cold moonlight, the blade reflected a chilling light like a mirror.
"Face the enemy head-on and deal with challenges as they come!"
"Improving my strength is my top priority right now."
"As long as I am strong enough, like Master, there will be nothing to fear."
Swish
Swish
Swish
The long sword cut through the air, occasionally stirring up gusts of wind. The fallen leaves and dust on the ground were swept up and scattered in all directions.
[Canglang Sword Technique Experience +1]
[Canglang Sword Technique Experience +1]
[Canglang Sword Technique Experience +1]
[...]
The experience points continued to rise as Jiang Ning practiced the sword technique, and insights into the technique flooded his mind.
In this state of intense focus, Jiang Ning even felt that, even without relying on the panel's miraculous effects, he might be able to achieve his current level of skill.
The next day at noon.
Swish
As the sword struck, the gust of wind it created swept up dust and sent it swirling in all directions.
[Canglang Sword Technique Experience +1]
As this prompt appeared before Jiang Ning, the panel also changed.
[Skill]: Canglang Sword Technique (Proficient 0/200)
At this moment, the Canglang Sword Technique officially broke through from the beginner level to the proficient level.
Jiang Ning stood like a statue, his eyes closed.
The veins on his arms bulged like coiled dragons.
After a long time, he opened his eyes, holding the sword in his right hand, and gave it a light swing.
Swish
A cold glint flashed as the blade cut through the air.
Jiang Ning could feel that with this strike, the air was split apart like a tide.
"The sword is faster!"
He casually swung the sword a few more times.
Hum Hum Hum
As the force flowed through him, the sword in his hand trembled slightly.
At the same time, a powerful force gathered within him, ready to be unleashed.
He could feel that once this force was unleashed, it would be like a floodgate opening, creating a tremendous impact.
After carefully sensing the force within him, Jiang Ning thought to himself.
"With the sword technique reaching the proficient level, I have naturally mastered the double force!"
"Once the double force is unleashed, a single strike from me can unleash more than twice the power of a single force!"
"However, my current physique cannot withstand such overwhelming power. When I unleashed the single force earlier, it tore the muscles in my arm and caused my blood vessels to burst. Therefore, unless it's a life-or-death situation, I cannot use the combined power of the double force!"
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